Paloma et Claude. 1950.
Lithograph.
Mourlot 186, Bloch 664, Cramer Livres 60. One of 2000 copies. On wove paper, with both centerfolds, as usual. 32,2 x 52 cm (12,6 x 20,4 in), the full sheet.
Printed by Mourlot Frères, Paris.
Original book binding of the publication by Fernand Mourlot, "Picasso Lithographe II", published by André Sauret, Monte Carlo 1950.

PROVENANCE: Private collection Baden-Württemberg (with collector stamp on verso, not in Lugt).

"[..] The printing of vol. II of the edition of "Picasso Lithographe" in four volumes is about to be completed; I [Fernand Mourlot] will visit Picasso in Vallauris to show him the final impressions and to ask for the binding lithograph. 'Wait, Mourlot, I'll do it tomorrow'. And right, the next day he locked himself in his studio, finding a solution without grease crayon and brush; he poured a little water into the litho ink, and by stirring the ink with his fingers he made the remarkable portrait of his children Claude and Paloma. [..]." (quite after Fernand Mourlot, Picasso Lithographe. Éditions du livre, published by André Sauret, Paris 1970, p. 168.) Claude (*1947) and Paloma (*1949) are the childrten Picasso had with Francoise Gilot. [EH/CB]